Masako PURCELL, Student ID: 01280005

THESIS ABSTRACT

Ambedkar and His Buddhism:

An Analysis from the Perspective of Engaged Buddhism

Masako PURCELL

Advisor: Dr. Kazunori IWAGAMI

Buddhist Studies, Graduate School of Human Studies,
Musashino University
(Correspondence Course)

Master’s Thesis Oral Examination, 1 February 2014

Keywords: Ambedkar, Engaged Buddhism, Untouchable, Emancipation, Liberation, Mass Conversion

Abstract:

The aim of this thesis is to analyse the emancipation movement of the Untouchables in India
which took place in 1956 in the form of a mass conversion from Hindu to Buddhism under the
leadership of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. It looks into, from the perspective of Engaged Buddhism,
Ambedkar’s interpretation of Buddhist teachings which were compiled into his posthumous opus, The
Buddha and His Dhamma.
The analysis reveals that in his book Ambedkar makes a clear distinction between “Dharma” and
“Dhamma” for two reasons. One is to discard the word “Dharma” which traditionally bears a strong
Hindu connotation among his audience. Renounced together are the identity of the oppressed and the
modern view of a religion which is considered to be innate, personal and private. Second is to
introduce “Dhamma” as a new concept for a post-modern religion which he believed should be social
and based on morality. Ambedkar’s intention was not only to emancipate the Untouchables by giving
them a new self identity but also to promote a harmonious society which can be achieved solely by
internal change of hearts brought about by the practice of self-culture and self-control. A true salvation,

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 Masako PURCELL, Student ID: 01280005

for Ambedkar, is to be found here, in this life by practicing “Dhamma”, a synonym for morality and
righteousness in relations between man and man.
The result suggests that the purpose of the conversion was to release his people from mundane
suffering and also to create conditions in which his people, as well as others, work effectively to
achieve their own liberation. If the main characteristic of Engaged Buddhism is defined as to obtain
“inner peace and world peace”, the attempt of Ambedkar can be rightly said to be the very first case
of Engaged Buddhism years before its name was first coined by Tich Nhat Hanh.

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